- Bruce Cassidy says he is “upset” that Vegas keeps blocking him from talking to the Oilers and Kings
- The former Knights coach broke down the contract math that has him stuck through next season
- Read below for the Spittin’ Chiclets video and what Cassidy said about wanting to coach again
Bruce Cassidy is not hiding how he feels about being stuck on the sidelines.
The former Vegas Golden Knights head coach went on Spittin’ Chiclets Episode 650 on Thursday and told the crew exactly what he thinks about the team he won a Stanley Cup with refusing to let him interview for two open NHL head coaching jobs. “I want to go to work. I’m a hockey coach,” Cassidy said.
Cassidy was asked about Vegas denying the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings permission to talk to him.
“It’s upsetting, I’m going to be honest because once you’re fired, your contract’s basically terminated,” Cassidy said.
Watch the video of Cassidy laying it out:
Both clubs have head coach openings. Both have asked Vegas for permission. The Knights have said no to both.
Cassidy went into why he can’t simply walk away.
“The one thing people don’t realize is all the deals, you have non-compete clauses. So I can’t resign today and go work for someone tomorrow. I can’t work until Vegas gives me permission until this contract’s up, which is at the end of next season. So if I resign, all I do is not get paid.”
His Vegas deal runs through 2026-27 at a reported $4.5 million per year. Until that contract is up or the Knights hand over permission, he is not going anywhere.
Vegas had no problem moving on. The Knights fired Cassidy in March with eight games left, gave the team to John Tortorella, and watched him sweep Colorado in the Western Conference Final last weekend. They are headed back to the Stanley Cup Final for the second time in four years.
There is also a Pacific Division piece to this. Edmonton and Los Angeles see Vegas four times a year. Andy Strickland reported on May 18 that the Knights blocked the Kings too, and Pierre LeBrun confirmed that same day that no team had been granted permission to talk to Cassidy.
As long as Vegas keeps cutting Cassidy’s paychecks, the NHL is not going to step in. He gets the rule, even if he hates being on the wrong side of it.
His pitch on the podcast was direct.
“In this case, there was two teams that asked, it’s public knowledge now, and I would like to talk to them,” Cassidy said. “I want to go to work. I’m a hockey coach.”
He is hoping someone breaks through before next year.
